יהודה

Yehuda (Judah) is one of the most ancient and significant names in Jewish culture, with roots deeply embedded in the Bible and the history of the Jewish people. The name derives from the Aramaic root "Y.D.H" meaning to thank, praise, and express gratitude. According to the biblical narrative, Leah, Judah's mother, named her fourth son with this name as an expression of gratitude to God for his birth, as stated: "And she conceived again and bore a son, and she said, 'This time I will praise the Lord,' therefore she called his name Judah" (Genesis 29:35). This name carries a profound meaning of thanksgiving, gratitude, and appreciation for the miracle of life, expressing a life approach of gratitude and recognition of goodness. Judah, son of Jacob and Leah, was a central figure in the biblical story and was considered a natural leader among his brothers. He was the one who proposed selling Joseph to the Ishmaelites instead of killing him, thereby saving his life. In the story of Judah and Tamar, he displays rare moral courage when he admits his mistake and declares "She is more righteous than I," demonstrating personal responsibility and spiritual honesty that made him an example of true leadership. Judah's descendants established the Tribe of Judah, the strongest and most influential tribe in Israel, from which emerged the kings of Israel, foremost among them King David. The Davidic dynasty, which lasted for many generations, established the Tribe of Judah's position as the leader of the people, and from this the name of the entire Jewish people was derived. The name Yehuda became a symbol of leadership, responsibility, courage, and loyalty to principles. Throughout Jewish history, the name Yehuda carried additional meanings of heroism and sacrifice. Its most famous bearer is Judah Maccabee, leader of the Maccabean Revolt in the second century BCE, who led the people in a war of liberation against the Greeks and succeeded in rededicating the Temple, an event commemorated by the holiday of Hanukkah. The symbol of the Tribe of Judah is the lion, as appears in Jacob's blessing: "Judah is a lion's cub, from the prey, my son, you have gone up" (Genesis 49:9), and this symbol represents strength, courage, royalty, and leadership. The lion became the national symbol of the Jewish people and appears in numerous symbols throughout history. Today, the name Yehuda carries all this rich heritage - it connects its bearer to the roots of the people, to biblical tradition, to the heroism of the Maccabees, and to values of gratitude, responsibility, and leadership. It is a classic and timeless name that continues to be popular among families wishing to give their children a name with deep historical, spiritual, and national significance.

יְהוּדָה

Yehuda | Judah | Yehudah | Juda

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Genesis 29:35 - And she conceived again and bore a son, and she said, 'This time I will praise the Lord,' therefore she called his name Judah

In Kabbalah, the name Yehuda carries profound meaning of connection to the divine root and thanksgiving to the Creator. The letters Yud-Hei at the beginning of the name allude to the Tetragrammaton (YHVH), expressing a direct connection with holiness. The name symbolizes the spiritual power of gratitude and thanksgiving, which are central foundations in spiritual work. The lion, symbol of Judah, represents in Kabbalah the quality of strength balanced with kindness, and is connected to the Sefirah of Gevurah integrated with Tiferet.

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Yehuda Levi - Israeli actor | Yehuda Poliker - Israeli singer and musician | Yehuda Amichai - Israeli poet | Judah Maccabee - leader of the Maccabean Revolt | Judah Halevi - medieval rabbi, philosopher and poet | Yehuda Gliksberg - rabbi and Halachic authority | Yehuda Barkan - Israeli comedic actor

יהודית | יהוא | אודי | הודיה | אריה | דוד | שמעון | לוי

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